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Quite honestly Hannah, the major reason I do is that I work from home, and when I have something printing up, my time is free and I play around on the site. I do find it very useful though, having asked for help on numerous subjects, and having received a lot of thoughtful response. In particular the thread that I started on getting a dojo up and running has been tremendously helpful.

Last week there was a thread on why we use the forums, you can find it at:

~~Hi Hanna! I participate here because it seemed a receptive medium for sharing ideas, getting feedback and advice in areas where I'm struggling and 'meeting' Aikidoka from around the world. I also don't mind my thoughts, concepts, perceptions, etc. being challanged, as do many folks who keep their heads down in their own little dojo. Got nothing against them but that's not my choice. I like far horizons and this lets me feel that I'm part of a world dojo

I don't work from home, but I do multi-task a lot. I'm also a chronic procrastinator (never do today what you can put off until tomorrow!).

Anyway, I tend to work in short, intesnse bursts with frequent breaks in between sessions. So, I will frequent this and other forums pertaining to my other interests. It passes the time and keeps me sane.

As to are we a minority? I dunno. Perhaps, however, I try to use all the resources at my disposal to train...this forum is one of them. FWIW.

PEace,

Erik

HAve you heard the one about the agnostic dyslexic? He wasn't sure if he believed in the existence of Dog.

Most aikido people choose not to spend their time om web boards such as this one. We who do, are a minority.

Why do we? How are we different from the rest of the aikido people out there? Do we have something in common that the others don't?

Hi Hanna

I do it because I get a little fried from research/study and it's an easy distraction since I'm already at the computer.

I choose aikido, instead of any other web discussion board, probably because I am amongst very self-involved youngin's who are interested in beer, fashion, and drama (not theatre, but rather the real-life stuff). Ahh, to be a decade older than most other students. So all of these things seem to cause me to yearn for a more aiki-discussion.

perhaps others have found themselves in the same position?........namely finding yourself out in the "boonies" as it were, with only a few others from your dojo to connect with.

Class not meeting tonight? log on, and at least get a bit of info/feedback/ as well as a chance to *Wallow*? (Is that too weird sounding?) in the art that I have searched for, for too many years to mention. Damn bucolic rural life!

Since this is still relatively new for me..(six monthes, testing for 5'th kyu in April I think!) since this is still so new, the freshness of the art is cool to touch via the net.

Also an ongoing learning process with the computer makes the two interests "coincide".

As an English participant it's nice to see what the rest of the world does in the practice of Aikido. It's also very useful for me to see that Aikido is worldwide. BTW there are some people from my own Dojo who just lurk (are you there Bob?).

I think one of the big benefits is that I can get a feel for what others are doing in different styles of Aikido. I also like the technical discussion because it allows me to touch on sources who are not in my dojo or oraganization.

Isolation at times and the the desire for conversation about Aikido. Outside the Dojo, I have very few people to talk to about my passion. Have learn a lot here. Hopefully others have learned a little something from me. Its a great place to practice mental and verbal Aikido.

Until again,

Lynn

Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!

We're AikiHackers. I agree with Erik Young, I multitask quite often as well. Right now, I've got a telnet session open, this window, another window looking at a report, lunch in front of me (mm, chicken), an AIM window blinking away.. no wonder my eyes get tired by 2pm.

I'm at work as well. Well not now but usually I post from work. I work a night shift and some times it gets very slow so I pass the time talking and learning about my favorite topic.

Since I've been here I find this type of communication is a good tool for anylizing how I interact with people. was my ego entering into the conversation? Was the other persons? How should I deal with it so it dosn't escalate into more hurt feelings in the future?

These are all questions I find I'm asking myself. What I learn about myself here spills into all my relation ships. I think for the better.

similar reasons, easy access to internet, intense compulsion to think about aikido all day (and night). I'd worry about the obsession, but it seems pretty benging, as this forum allows some relief to the need to think more actively about it.

plus I don't mind making a fool of myself too much, compared to some of my friends who lurk and exercise better restraint on their gabbiness.